THE CENTRE MAY TOUGHEN ITS STAND AGAINST SEPARATIST LEADERS IN JAMMU AND KASHMIR

The Centre may toughen its stand against separatist leaders in Jammu and Kashmir, and security forces are expected to be given a larger role in the Valley.

The government has decided to step up crackdowns against elements stonewalling the return of normalcy in the Valley, which has been under curfew almost continuously for the past 60 days.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and informed him of the situation.

"One thing is clear, we have engaged with the people there and it might have a long-term impact. Now, the short-term goal is to reopen markets and schools and bring normalcy to the State", Govt. said.

KARNATAKA GOVT DECIDED TO FOLLOW THE SUPREME COURT’S DIRECTIVE

Amid dissent by the Opposition parties and serious opposition from farmers, the Karnataka Government decided to release 15,000 cusecs of water a day to Tamil Nadu as per the Supreme Court’s directive.

The State has also decided to file a modification petition before the apex court in addition to approaching the supervisory committee to convince it about the distress situation due to a deficient monsoon.

A decision to this effect was taken by the government after a meeting of the floor leaders of both Houses of the State legislature and MPs from the State.

Meanwhile, the protests by various groups in Karnataka in the wake of the Supreme Court order derailed inter-State movement of people across the Jujuvadi checkpost.

In Karnataka, the protests led to traffic blocks, cancellation of bus services to Tamil Nadu and Kerala and halting of shows of Tamil movies. Train services were not affected, said railway officials.

ISRO’S GSLV-F05 ROCKET CARRYING THE INSAT-3DR TO BE LAUNCHED

The 29-hour countdown for the launch of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)’s GSLV-F05 rocket, carrying the INSAT-3DR advanced weather satellite, is scheduled to commence on 7th sept.

The rocket, with the indigenously developed cryogenic upper stage as its fourth stage, would place the satellite, weighing 2,211-kg in the Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO).

GSLV-F05 would be the tenth GSLV flight.

On being placed in the intended orbit, INSAT-3DR would use its own propulsion system to reach its final geosynchronous orbital home and will be stationed at 74 deg East longitude, ISRO said.

The advanced weather satelliteis expected to provide a variety of meteorological services to the country.

TERRORISTS AND INSURGENTS ARE GETTING PUBLIC SUPPORT IN SOME PARTS OF THE COUNTRY

Terrorists and insurgents are getting “public support” in some parts of the country and unless this is stopped, India will continue to get hit by acts of terrorism, a report prepared by the elite counter-terror force NSG has said.

The analytical report on recent bombing incidents in the country also raised concern over the possible leakage and use of ordnance factory-made explosives by terror outfits.

Until and unless the public support to anti-national elements stops, the acts of terrorism will continue.

Sincere efforts are required to mitigate the IED menace. A ‘Whole of Nation’ effort is the way ahead to keep the citizens of the country safe,” the report said.

:: INTERNATIONAL ::

THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION DECLARED SRI LANKA TO BE MALARIA-FREE

The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared Sri Lanka to be malaria-free, after certifying that the life-threatening disease had been completely eliminated here.

Sri Lanka’s achievement is truly remarkable. In the mid-20th century, it was among the most malaria-affected countries, but now it is malaria-free.

Sri Lanka’s road to elimination had not been easy. It demanded well-calibrated, responsive policies.

For instance, after cases of malaria soared in Sri Lanka in the 1970s and 80s, the country revised its strategy, intensively targeting the parasite in addition to targeting the mosquito.

Sri Lanka has, despite the protracted civil war that ravaged the country, set high standards in public health and sanitation in South Asia.

India is in the “control phase” with regard to malaria, but is working to reach pre-elimination by 2017 and to complete elimination thereafter, says a 2015 WHO report.

BALOCHISTAN CM POINTS THE INTERFERENCE OF ‘NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES’ IN BALOCHISTAN

Balochistan CM said that lawmakers from the Province would visit ‘friendly countries’ to inform them and the international community about the interference of ‘neighbouring countries’ in Balochistan.

Islamabad has been vigorously protesting against New Delhi on the issue of Balochistan ever since Prime Minister Narendra Modi weaved into his Independence Day speech.

He also said that the completion of work on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and Gwadar Port will boost local and national economies.

In its petition to the UN Secretary General, Islamabad had called Mr. Modi’s remarks on Balochistan and PoK as unwarranted and in complete contravention of the UN charter.

:: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ::

GLOBAL WARMING IS SPREADING DISEASE AMONG ANIMALS AND HUMANS

Global warming is making the oceans sicker than ever before, spreading disease among animals and humans and threatening food security across the planet.

The findings, based on peer-reviewed research, were compiled by 80 scientists from 12 countries, experts said at the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Conservation Congress in Hawaii.

The report, ‘Explaining Ocean Warming’, is the “most comprehensive, most systematic study we have ever undertaken on the consequence of this warming on the ocean,” co-lead author Dan Laffoley said.

The world’s waters have absorbed more than 93 per cent of the enhanced heating from climate change since the 1970s, curbing the heat felt on land but drastically altering the rhythm of life in the ocean, he said.

The study included every major marine ecosystem, containing everything from microbes to whales, including the deep ocean.

The higher temperatures will probably change the sex ratio of turtles in the future because females are more likely to be born in warmer temperatures. The heat also means microbes dominate larger areas of the ocean.

G20 leaders resolved to combat a “populist backlash” against global trade, and highlight the benefits it has brought including lifting millions out of poverty, IMF’s Christine Lagarde said.

Ms. Lagarde said that the benefits of free trade in terms of lifting productivity and hauling them out of poverty were being drowned out by the chorus of opposition.

There was “a determination around the room to better identify the benefits of trade in order to respond to the easy populist backlash against globalisation.”

INDIA'S PRODUCTION OF SUMMER-SOWN PULSES IS LIKELY TO SURGE TO A RECORD HIGH

India's production of summer-sown pulses is likely to surge to a record high this year, dragging down prices of the protein-rich food grains after last year's sharp rally that prompted farmers to increase area under cultivation.

Higher output by the world's top consumer and importer of pulses could help Asia's No.3 economy rein in its headline inflation that hit a near two-year high in July on double-digit annual increases in prices of sugar, vegetables and pulses.

Estimated India's output of summer-sown pulses at a record 7.8 million tonnes this year, up 40 percent from a year ago. The government has not yet issued an official forecast.

The price of pulses - such as green, black and red gram - hit record highs earlier this year after back-to-back droughts curbed output in 2015.

But in the past few weeks, prices have softened with ample rains prompting farmers to cultivate more.

India's area under summer-sown pulses reached a record 14.2 million hectares, up 33 per cent from a year ago, with the market already reflecting the expected bumper supplies.

Coal India Limited (CIL) and Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for effectively monitoring of environment related issues in the coal mining projects.

The arrangement would help CIL in proper compliance and monitoring of the conditions that are laid down by the MoEF&CC (Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change) for environment and forest clearances.

Key Facts of the MoU

• It will help in improving the rehabilitation and reclamation of the mined out areas.

• The MoU covers assessment and monitoring of

a) Plantation and eco restoration activities

b) Preparation of wild life management plans

c) Preparation of environmental impact assessment

d) Environmental management plans

e) Capacity building for the executives of CIL on environment and forestry issues and more

The Gujarat government signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Airport Authority of India (AAI) to develop 11 small airports and airstrips under the Centre’s Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS).

The MoU was signed to boost regional air connectivity in the State.

Highlights of the MoU

• MoU was signed to develop the 11 air-strips / airports which are in working or not in working position, so that the state aviation sector may develop to provide easy connectivity to the passengers of state.

• The Centre will provide the financial resources under viability gap funding of the RCS.

• The infrastructural development will take place as per the RCS of civil aviation ministry.

• Apart from developing infrastructure at the 11 airports, the Union Government will provide subsidies to airline operators, including cheaper fuel.

With this MoU, Gujarat became the third State after Jharkhand and Maharashtra to have signed such an agreement to seek the Centre’s support to provide financial assistance to create infrastructural facilities in small airports.

SPACEX FALCON 9 ROCKET DESTROYED IN EXPLOSION

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket exploded on its Cape Canaveral launch pad during a test.

The explosion destroyed a commercial satellite that Facebook had planned to use to extend Internet access in Africa.

It was the second time in just over a year that SpaceX has lost a Falcon 9 rocket, which is slated to launch NASA astronauts for the first time in 2017.

Reliance Industries Limited launched the Reliance Jio Service offering free voice calls and zero roaming charges for its customers as a part of Jio Welcome Offer.

The Jio Welcome Offer will be effective from 5 September 2016 up to 31 December 2016. As part of the Jio Welcome Offer, users will have access to unlimited LTE data and national voice, video and messaging services along with the full bouquet of Jio applications and content free of cost.

Reliance tied up with around 20 smartphone brands including Samsung, Micromax and LG to bundle Jio SIM cards with them with free voice and data for three months.

Highlights of the Reliance Jio Service

• Domestic voice calls to any network across the country would be free for Jio subscribers even beyond the Jio Welcome Offer.

• Domestic roaming services would also not be charged separately.

• Average data prices would be around 50 rupees for 1 GB, which would be amongst the lowest in the world.

• In addition to fixed and wireless broadband connectivity, Jio will also offer end-to-end solutions in key domains such as education, healthcare, security, communication, financial services, and entertainment.